Manchester United: Red Devils forward James Wilson not available on loan says Kenny Jackett

Manchester United striker James Wilson is not available on loan this season, Championship club Wolverhampton Wanderers boss Kenny Jackett has revealed. The Red Devils forward was expected to join a club in the lower division after failing to nail down a regular place under Louis van Gaal.

The Dutch manager had indicated that the forward would be sent on loan to gain experience playing regular first-team football, while making it clear that they would have a call-back option in his contract in case of an injury to one of their regular strikers. Van Gaal is a big admirer of the young striker, and was keen for him to play regularly in the Championship.

However, Jackett has now confirmed that the 19-year-old forward will not be made available for loan, as the 20-time English champions are keen to keep him at the club as backup for Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial. The Wolves manager also admitted being interested in signing the striker in the past and is open to strengthening his forward line during the ongoing loan window. According to the Daily Mail, there were as many as 20 clubs eager to sign the England U21 international, with Derby County leading the race.

"The information is he's not available. They're keeping him there for the time being," the Wolves boss said, as quoted by the Independent. "There's been a number of clubs who have enquired about him and at one stage they'd been saying perhaps he could go. The timing of it is always something and if he was available would there be some interest from us? There has been in the past, yes."

"You are always looking to strengthen, you're always aware of centre forwards if we did get an injury at the moment. But, having said that, both (Rajiv) Van La Parra and young Bright (Enobakhare) have looked very good. I wouldn't hesitate to give them an opportunity if I thought it was necessary," Jackett explained.

Meanwhile, the Championship club's manager has denied any interest in signing Crystal Palace's out-of-favour forward Frazer Campbell, after reports suggested that Wolves were keen on a loan move. "I don't know where that's come from, it's not one we've pursued or we're pursuing," he concluded.